ALBION have been linked with a transfer swoop of Clermont striker Mohamed Bayo.

Graham Potter’s side have been in good form this season, winning four out of their first eight games and only losing once. One of the key features of this notable improvement from last season is the team’s more clinical attitude in front of goal.

Neal Maupay has led the way with goals, averaging a goal every other game, however, the club does lack quality depth if something were to happen to the talismanic Frenchman.

Danny Welbeck is the usual option to replace Maupay, although the Englishman has just undergone surgery on a hamstring injury and will be out of action for the coming months.

Aaron Connolly is now the only other striker option in Albion’s current senior roster. Although he showed promise early on, he is yet to push on with his development and realise his potential, and Evan Ferguson is not yet ready for senior football.

This slimming down of options may have forced Albion’s hand and into the transfer market, which re-opens in January.

The Sun has reported that Graham Potter could make a move for Clermont star Mohamed Bayo. The striker is being touted as a target for the club and goes as far as to say that there has been contact between the two clubs.

The 23-year-old is rated at £10 million by the Ligue 1 club and has been in impressive form this season, scoring five goals and assisting two more in only nine league appearances.

This has followed what an impressive contribution to Clermont’s promotion from Ligue 2 he made last season, where Bayo scored 22 goals and assisted seven in 38 games.

The Guinean international has also scored twice in five games for his country, and at 1.88 metres tall, he would provide a different type of threat for Potter, while also offering pace and an ability to run behind defences.

Liam Wraith, lead French Football contributor for Over The Bar, an independant football site, and feature writer for Get French Football News told the Argus: “Mohamed Bayo is not your conventional number nine, his awkward but effective first touch is reminiscent of a young Romelu Lukaku.

“His ability to get out of tight spaces and effectively influence transition by bringing teammates into play would be beneficial in a swashbuckling side such as Graham Potter’s Seagulls.

“With a Ligue 2 best 22 goals last season and an impressive tally of five thus far only bettered by two players, Bayo would be a great addition for Brighton to turn conversations of xG - expected goals - into goals.

“Creativity is often understated in out and out strikers these days, but Bayo has an eye for a pass and is unselfish in the attacking third- an undeniably desired quality for teams looking for a complete forward.

“The qualities of fellow Frenchman Maupay would appear to complement the playing style of the Guinean international.”

Another attribute that Bayo possesses that would make him a handy acquisition for Albion is his versatility across the attacking front three.

The forward is able to play as a winger on either flank and this would mean he could challenge players such as Leandro Trossard and Solly March if he joined the club.

However, if Albion want to sign Bayo, they will have to ward off competition from Premier League rivals West Ham United. The Hammers are keen on signing another striker that can become an understudy to Michail Antonio, the club’s only recognised striker.

The striker has also recently a new deal with the club running until 2024, 

Bayo came through the youth academy at Clermont and spent four years with their second team Clermont II, he also spent the 2019/20 season on loan at French side USL Dunkerque. During this spell, he played 35 times and scored 14 goals.